Identification of the Theme

When you take an inventory of your skills and experiences, you may discover an emergent theme that points you to something about yourself. I can look back over my life going back as far as I can recall and see the man I am today getting shaped and formed.

I liked to be on stage in high school, but always in a supporting role. I wasn't the lead, they had too many lines. I was there to make the lead look good. I was the assistant manager at my fast food job, and later when I was the kitchen manager at a bar and grill, the role was still subordinate to the general manager. In my first and second marriages, I was the sole provider, but let my wives decide what they wanted to spend the money on. When I parent my kids, I tell them how to have a good time, explaining the ways that "bad behavior" isn't fun, and letting them figure out what  they'd like to do instead. In my private practice, I like to tell people how to empower themselves, and let them figure out what they want to do as a result. In the Great Work, I like to create the Stone, and then project it into the world to heal the sick, bring wealth to the poor, and to set the captives free.

I'm a facilitator. I get my pleasure from the provision of the things people need to be happy. I had to learn some hard lessons about that, mainly centered around not making my happiness be dependent on other people's happiness. I had to learn that my happiness comes from the process of helping, rather than what other people do with what I provide. Because people will do what they want with what you give them, and you don't get to tell people what to do or how to be happy. I had to learn to provide the things that helped me, and let others use them how they want, or not at all, without expectation. That was hard, and like I said, it took a few times before I learned my limits and how to focus on the things that I'm good at doing.

So when you've taken a look at your skills and talents and experiences, see if you can find an emergent theme. What roles were you really good at? What roles did you enjoy the most in your life? What was it about those roles that made you so happy? Figure that out, and you'll learn something about yourself and what makes you tick. Pay close attention to your successes in life, the things you do really well.

Those are the clues that will help you understand who you are, and what you do. Armed with that knowledge, you'll find yourself creating things with ease and aplomb, and the challenges you face will be the kind that are fun to solve instead of frustrating and annoying.

Sex in a Stall

This thing we do, or things, in between our first and final breaths is the one true essence of the sacred upon the Earth. There is none more holy than the one who acts to create their world, and no thing of greater beauty than that which arises from the work of their hands. Aspirations achieved and imaginations manifest for the enlightenment and enjoyment of the world.

And all within it.

We do this daily, we create our experiences and share the fruits of our labor with those we love, and those we hate. We create, we choose, we act as we see fit, in each passing moment, in each passing day. The things that happen next are a mixture of our actions and our applied wills, expressed within the limits of our fate, for lack of a better word. The mingling of the things we can control and the things we cannot. 

There is perhaps a ratio that can be held in mind, for planning purposes, or maybe as a reminder of the limited scope of our sphere of influence. Perhaps it is 80:20, where 80% of our experiences can be directly controlled by our imagination, planning, execution, and monitoring of our actions upon the Earth. Perhaps there are 20% of our experiences, or experiential influences that are completely beyond our personal control.

These are not real numbers, and should not be considered hard or fast truths. It is merely a way to look at our experiences, here in this world. A way of approaching the engineering of our lives that recognizes that we have a lot of authority over how things turn out, but there are things we don't know, things we haven't considered, and things we cannot change that affect us in our plans.

We create in our world, and it is beautiful. But we also exist in a world that is being created by others, all the time. Most of them aren't doing much consciously, on purpose, but they still behave in ways that accomplish purposes. The purposes of others who have gotten a few folks to lend them their creativity. Think of a corporation that trades dollars for the temporary use of its employees' powers of creation, and employees who, having no purpose of their own worth pursuing and manifesting, are greatful to get something useful for their time and efforts, for doing something with their time that they wouldn't be doing otherwise.

7 billion creators, creating. Not creating 7 billion worlds, because we sell our time and attention to the highest bidder, and there aren't that many purposeful people on the Earth. A few thousand, maybe, whose purpose and Will is being executed at any given time.

But those purposes don't all impact us personally, all the time. If we are stuck working for others, we have more time to create than the time we sell them. We have evenings, or weekends, and we can tap that time and use it for our own purposes, guide our efforts into activities that create more time for personal creation as more of our plans materialize, if we wish.

And no one has to create, of course. There are the watchers of the television. There are the consumers of goods. The entertained. They are content to watch, to passively experience, to sell their services to a machine whose purposes they have no interest in comprehending, and that too is just fine. Nobody has to do anything they don't want to do, if it's too hard, too boring, or just unappealing to them. There is no shame, no blame, unless they are unhappy. 

And that's punishment enough.

Me, I like to create, to build my next experiences. It's fun. I like the frission, the passion, the building up of the moment, the anticipation of the orgasmic release that brings the pleasure of the experience coming into being. I like the process of creating things to be enjoyed. 

Sure, there are things I can't control. The space is cramped, and the seat is cold, and there are way too many crudely drawn dicks on the wall. People outside might hear me and think badly of me, and the wafting smells of other people's excreta will undoubtedly assail my senses. 

But my experience in the stall is my own, I can do what I want with whoever I can talk into coming with me, and afterwards we can laugh and sigh and get back on the train, carrying that joy with us into what comes next.

Take an Inventory

Hey there, you post-Christmas stoned folks! Hope your holidays were great and you're turning your attention to the coming year. For those of us who like to plan things out, this coming week is a great time to figure out where you are in life, where you want to be, and what it's going to take to get you there. It's a time to get your poop in a group, get rid of the shit you don't need, and make room for the shit you do need.

But first, you need to have an idea of what you've got already. Take some time this week to take an inventory of your life. List the resources you have at hand to make things happen the way you want. Take a look at your budget, your income, expenses, responsibilities and luxuries. Take a look at your bank records and see what you've spent your money on for the last three months.

Don't stop there!

How's your health? Can you touch your toes and your nose without falling over backwards? (Christmas morning, I could ot, but there was alcohol involved.) Look in your fridge and cabinets. What kind of foods do you eat? Lots of processed stuff, or natural living things? How are your walking shoes? Worn out and in need of repair? Completely unused and in need of dusting?

How about your personal Work? Do you know who you are? Why you're here? What you want to do with your life? Have you taken a look at yourself?

Try putting together a timeline of your life. List the things you've done, the roles you've had. Start as early or late as you'd like, in the last year, or going back to your child hood. Whatever. It's your list, your life, your choice. But take a look at the things you've done, make a list of your skills, your experiences. Score the things you've done on a joyfulness scale. What things have you done that made you the most happy in your life? What things suck the worst?

List your stressors. Everything that makes you feel like shit.

List your sources of Joy. Everything that makes you smile.

List your goals, your dreams, your desires.

Spend a couple days on it, think about it, come back to it tomorrow and see what you think. You'll be in a position to start looking at your plans for the new year in more detail. You'll be able to identify things to create, and things to destroy. You'll be ready to jump in and get started.

And we'll talk about what that means next.

Joy to you and yours!

Memory Boost for Finals Time!

Hey there, college students, it's that most wonderful time of the year: FINALS! The chance to show off how smart you are, how much you've learned, and how awesome you'll be when it's time to apply your education in the real world! Are you friggin' PSYCHED!?!?

The sounds of your rejoicing are nigh unto overwhelming!

Heh, I'm laughing, but not entirely in an asshole kind of way. I'm sure you'll do fine.

But for a little ... ahem ... help from our invisible friends, it's Mercury time! I'll be performing a memory-blessing rite in the Mercury hour to aid in your studies. It won't bring knowledge you haven't learned because you were tripping balls instead of going to class, ya slackers, but it should help you remember what you've been studying when you're sitting there in class.

If you'd like to be a part of the RO-performance of this blessing, you can purchase the rite below.

If you're up to doing it yourself, mix up a martini, light yourself a silver candle, burn some frankincense, and conjure up Raphael, Tiriel, Taphthartharath, Hermes and Mnemosyne and ask them for a little help with your memory. The seals and lamens are below, you can use the conjuration technique from the Modern Angelic Grimoire, and recite the Orphic Hymns to Hermes and Mnemosyne as your statement of intent.

The Orphic Hymn to Hermes goes like this:

Hermes, draw near, and to my pray'r incline, angel of Jove [Zeus], and Maia's son divine; Studious of contests, ruler of mankind, with heart almighty, and a prudent mind. Celestial messenger, of various skill, whose pow'rful arts could watchful Argus kill: With winged feet, 'tis thine thro' air to course, O friend of man, and prophet of discourse: Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thine, in arts gymnastic, and in fraud divine: With pow'r endu'd all language to explain, of care the loos'ner, and the source of gain. Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod, Corucian, blessed, profitable God; Of various speech, whose aid in works we find, and in necessities to mortals kind: Dire weapon of the tongue, which men revere, be present, Hermes, and thy suppliant hear; Assist my works, conclude my life with peace, give graceful speech, and me memory's increase.

And the Orphic Hymn to Mnemosyne goes like this:

The consort I invoke of Jove [Zeus] divine, source of the holy, sweetly-speaking Nine; Free from th' oblivion of the fallen mind, by whom the soul with intellect is join'd: Reason's increase, and thought to thee belong, all-powerful, pleasant, vigilant, and strong: 'Tis thine, to waken from lethargic rest all thoughts deposited within the breast; And nought neglecting, vigorous to excite the mental eye from dark oblivion's night. Come, blessed power, thy mystic's mem'ry wake to holy rites, and Lethe's fetters break.

To have me perform the rite for you (I've got the setup already, uh, set up), use the button below (US $49.95):

Key of Solomon Talismans

Lately I've been playing with the Key of Solomon Pentacles, and the spirits on the seals. I must say they are really fun, and really effective. I use the pentacle that is sort of like the key to the other pentacles on one side, and the pentacle with the desired effect on the other, for the ones where that is necessary.

The following other talismans are currently available, though I haven't gotten around to updating my web site with all of these yet. Purchasing information is at the bottom of the blog post for now.

Pentacles of Venus:

2nd Pentacle of Venus: Graceful Desires - Shown to the right, it is the one I am selling for wealth and prosperity for folks with Jupiter issues in their natal charts. Description from the KoS: These pentacles are also proper for obtaining grace and honor, and for all things which belong unto Venus, and for accomplishing all thy desires herein.

4th Pentacle of Venus: Come to Me - Not shown, but really beautiful. This one I won't make for just anyone, so far I've only made it for a root worker who convinced me she won't abuse it TOO much, without good cause... like making a decent profit. Description from the KoS: It is of great power, since it compels the spirits of Venus to obey, and to force on the instant any person thou wishest to come unto thee.

Pentacles of Mercury:

To empower the Pentacles of Mercury, I use the 3rd Pentacle, and then engrave the following on the other side:

2nd Pentacle of Mercury: The Miracle Maker - I'm still experimenting with this one, but so far I like it lots. Description from the KoS: The spirits herein written serve to bring to effect and to grant things which are contrary unto the order of Nature; and which are not contained under any other head. They easily give answer, but they can with difficulty be seen.

4th Pentacle of Mercury: Key to the Universe - This pentacle is simply amazing. I don't think there is anything I could possibly want to know that this pentacle won't bring into fruition. My current experiments with it have left me hungry for more, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Those Allatori are pretty amazing. Description from the KoS: The fourth pentacle of Mercury.-- This is further proper to acquire the understanding and knowledge of all things created, and to seek out and penetrate into hidden things; and to command those spirits which are called Allatori to perform embassies. They obey very readily.

5th Pentacle of Mercury: Opener of Ways - This pentacle has served to clear out several of the issues blocking my clients and their success upon the earth, under the earth, on dry land and you get it. One person was struggling with an obstinate ex-spouse, and this cleared up the troubles they were having, another was unable to break through to a new career, and these guys stepped in on her behalf, bringing an awesome series of synchroniities into being to turn her career around. Description from the KoS: This commandeth the spirits of Mercury, and serveth to open doors in whatever way they may be closed, and nothing it may encounter can resist it.

Pentacles of the Sun

I'm only offering two of the Pentacacles of the Sun, one for wealth, and the other for the ability to see spirits. These ought to be engraved in gold, but that's pretty expensive stuff. If you want them engraved in gold, know it's going to take about a half an ounce to make a disk big enough for these symbols, plus the cost of me actually engraving it, consecrating it, and shipping it. You're looking at about $1200 at today's prices. It would be incredibly poweful, but still...

Fortunately, we can use silver, because silver receives the properties of all the spheres, which keeps the talismans affordable and effective.

For the Solar talismans, I engrave the 2nd pentacle on one side, to empower the talisman and to humble the spirits of the Sun, which are proud, and then engrave the following seals on the other side, depending on what you are looking for:

3rd Talisman of the Sun: King Maker - This talisman is about getting the honor and glory and recognition of your awesome skills, talent, and potential. These are all effects I normally associate with Jupiter, but these guys are of a different octave, that is, they focus on the expression of that favor and abundant grace obtained Jupiter. They are like Jupiter Blessings on Crack. Ka-pow! I'm diggin' them a lot. Description from KoS: This serveth in addition ... to acquire kingdom and empire, to inflict loss, and to acquire renown and glory, especially through the name of God, Tetragrammaton, which therein is twelve times contained.

4th Talisman of the Sun: Into the Light! - This talisman is designed to help you see spirits, to get the visible manifestation so many people are after. I haven't played with this one yet, but it's one I figured I'd make available because it looks like it would be fun to make, and my clients are always looking for help in the ability to see spirits. Description from KoS: This serveth to enable thee to see the spirits when they appear invisible unto those who invoke them; because, when thou hast uncovered it, they will immediately appear visible.

4th Pentacle of Mars
(pics taken at weird angle,
the talisman is actually square)

Mars Talismans

I'm offering the following two Mars talismans from the KoS:

The 2nd Pentacle of Mars: Disease Destroyer - This talisman turns the forces of Mars against diseases that are afflicting you. You simply hold it against the part of the body that is afflicted, and call on the spirits of Mars (names will be provided with the talisman) and ask for their aid in your victory over the disease. Description from KoS: This pentacle serveth with great success against all kinds of diseases, if it be applied unto the afflicted part.

The 4th Pentacle of Mars: Victorious Warrior - If you find yourself in battle or under threat of battle, this talisman is designed to bring you victory. The intent is to bring you victory in any form of combat, armed, unarmed, literal or metaphorical. This is the kind of thing that aids the bearer regardless of their intent, whether drug runner or DEA agent, soldier or insurrectionist alike. Note: Ask about the Deployed Military Discount. Description from KoS: It is of great virtue and power in war, wherefore without doubt it will give thee victory.

Custom Talismans from the Key of Solomon

There are other talismans I'll make for some people, under some conditions from the Key of Solomon on a case by case basis. For example, if you are a fellow purveyor of magical services, and you have need of some of the stronger, or darker forces it provides (and you're sure you can handle having this shit in your temple space), let me know and I'll create the talismans you need in the appropriate hours of the appropriate days.

Purchasing:

Use the Buy Now option below to select the talisman you'd like to order:

Select the Pentacle from the following list:

Venus: Graceful Desires $249.00 USD Venus: Come to Me $295.00 USD Mercury: Miracle Maker $195.00 USD Mercury: Key to the Universe $295.00 USD Mercury: Opener of Ways $195.00 USD Sun: King Maker $666.00 USD Sun: Into the Light $195.00 USD Mars: Disease Destroyer $125.00 USD Mars: Victorious Warrior $195.00 USD

Exquisite Experiences

I'm a big fan of exquisite experiences, but nothing is better than hanging out with magicians talking about magic. Frater Bryan Ashen and his scryer Strider and Harper and I were able to meet and enjoy each others' company this afternoon, and it was brilliant! We talked about magic and our experiences conjuring and seeing for a couple of hours, and it seemed like minutes. There is a vibe between folks that have done this stuff. Truly awesome.

Uncomplicating Things

I was poking around Amazon, and wound up on a Neil Gaiman book page, and scrolling down I found his Biography. It's three sentences long, you can look up the other two sentences. The first one is the one that matters:

"I make things up and write them down."

That, ladies and gentlemen, is all. That's magic, the Philosopher's Stone, the Secret of the Universe. That's the nut and the nut shell. The entirety of everything, summed up and uncomplicated. This is what we do, each and every one of us, and all the work and practice and exercises and initiations and empowerments are all completely and totally about revealing this fact, and then making you really good at it.

Skip ahead, it saves time.

Make things up.

Write them down.